Baitrunner advice needed

[wotnobivvy]

I have the opportunity to do a bit of occasional carp fishing on a second rod whilst float fishing. I am looking to buy a bait runner reel but don't want to spend more than £30. New is favourite, but a good second-hand one is ok. Must have 2 spools and lefthand wind. I am not worried about a line clip. I have been looking at Shakespeare and Okuma who seem to do some good cheap reels. Anyone have experience and/or recommendation ??

[Peter Waller]

I have a cracker of a baitrunner that I got from Lidl! Just don't expect admiring glances from those with all the 'right' labels!! As for Shakespeare & Okuma, you pays your money & takes your pick, both make good, and often underrated tackle.

[philocalist]

From the two brands you list, I'd tend towards the Okuma range, based on good reesults I've had with their reels - I've still got one of their bigger original Epix Pro's going strong after about 8 years ... and that includes plenty of saltwater use too.

 

That said, someone recently put me onto some ABU reels last year - the Cardinal 105 FR - I got a couple of them - and they've been faultless. Supplied with two good spools and a decent case too, you can usually pick them up for well under thirty quid. Don't be put off by the '105' sizing ... they are about the equivalent of a '4000 / 5000' type reel.

[JV44]

I have 2 of the original epix bought circa 1995 still going strong used and abused on my Pike dead bait rods for that long

I also bought some Shakespeare Cyprus bait runners that when treated with the same lack of care as the above Okumas died witching 4 years leading me to think older is better esp the Older Okuma and Shiimmy gear

[Sportsman]

I have 3 old Okuma Epix, well over 10 years old, that I still use regularly without problems.

I also have a couple of Shimano 5010 that are older and work perfectly.

If I was buying another reel at the moment it would be another Shimano 5010

[Kappa]

I have a pair of these:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OKUMA-PROFORCE-PFRB-30-BAITFEEDER-BAITRUNNER-REEL-CARP-BARBEL-PIKE-SPARE-SPOOL-/161761421106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a9bb6732

 

I won't bore you with the list but I've caught some magnificent fish using these reels, can't beat the price!

[Anderoo]

if you can stretch to another tenner I would strongly recommend a second hand Shimano 5000 GTE, e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Aero-5000-GTE-Baitrunner-Very-Good-Condition-/321812732631?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4aed889ad7

 

They often go for about £40 on ebay and will be loads better than any new reel you can find at that price. (I have 4!)

[wotnobivvy]

I have taken the plunge and gone for the Okuma Proforce PFRB-30 as recommended by Kappa. It is all spooled up and ready to go as soon as I can sneak out the back door